spleen

Question 1

what is the most common cause of hyposplenism?

Answer 1

Most commonly from splenectomy

o Need for immunisation

Question 2

other causes of hyposplenism?

Answer 2

o Coeliac disease
o Sickle cell disease
o Sarcoidosis
o Iatrogenic – non-surgical

Question 3

what are the consequences of hyposplenism?

Answer 3

Consequences of hyposplenism
• Features mainly from reduced red pulp function
o Howell-Jolly bodies
o Other red cell abnormalities
• May also be some immune deficiency – especially if spleen removed in childhood

Question 4

what causes splenomegaly?

Answer 4

infection 
congestion 
haematological disease 
inflammatory conditions 
storage diseases 
amyloid
tumours (primary and metastatic)
cysts

Question 5

infective causes of splenomegaly

Answer 5

EBV, 
Malaria, 
TB, 
Typhoid, 
Brucellosis, 
Leishmaniasis,
Trypanosomiasis,

Question 6

congestive causes of splenomegaly

Answer 6

portal (hepatic cirrhosis)

portal/splenic vein thrombosis, cardiac failure)

Question 7

haematological disease causes of splenomegaly

Answer 7

lymphoma/leukaemia - pattern of disease and immunophenotype
haemolytic anaemia
myeloproliferative disorders

Question 8

inflammatory causes of splenomegaly

Answer 8

rheumatoid arthritis

SLE

Question 9

storage disease causes of splenomegaly

Answer 9

gaucher’s

niemann-Pick disease

Question 10

how does splenomegaly present

Answer 10

• Dragging sensation in LUQ
• Discomfort with eating
• Pain if infarction

Question 11

what is hypersplenism?

Answer 11

Triad of

1. splenomegaly
2. fall in one or more cellular components of blood
3. correction of cytopenias by splenectomy